Chapter 15: Morning After Last Night

"Anong nangyari?" I gently touched the darkened bruise on Prince's jaw. He licked his lips and slowly pulled me close.

"Okay lang ako," he smiled gently at me.

"Pa'nong naging okay ka?" I asked him. I saw my brothers emerge from the cars one by one. They all looked tired and sleepy, plus they reek of alcohol. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

 "Okay lang yan baby girl, malayo yan sa bituka," Kuya Alfredo ruffled my hair before he started for the stairs. "Patulugin mo muna kami." Hay naku Kuya, alam ko namang ikaw ang sumapak sa Prince ko!

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap kay Prince at sumunod kay kuya sa taas. "Kuya, san kayo galing?"

"Boy's night out," nakangisi siya at tumuloy na sa loob ng kanyang kwarto.

"Boy's night out?" baling ko kay Prince. He shrugged and gave me a tentative smile.

"Prince, anong ginawa ninyo kagabi? Andaming basyo ng beer sa labas, tapos ngayon lang kayo dumating, alas-sais na ng umaga."

"Goddess, it's okay. We just sorted things out," He yawned, "Antok na ko baby, uwi muna ko."

"Sobrang antok ka na. Dun ka na lang sa kwarto ko matulog." I pulled him towards my bedroom. He nodded and followed me.

"Hihingi muna ako ng shirt kay Kuya Ali, gamitin mo muna yung banyo ko." I went out and crossed the hall to Kuya Ali's room. I knocked and he immediately opened the door.

"Kuya pwede pong pahingi ng shirt para kay Prince?" he smiled at me and opened his door wider so I could come inside. I sat on his bed as he rummaged inside his closet for a clean shirt. For a guy, napaka-neat ni Kuya Ali considering napakarami niyang gadgets, computer parts, at iba pang circuitry sa loob ng kwarto. Isang buong dingding ang puno ng monitors at 54" LED TV na naka-mount sa wall. May sensorround speakers na ginagamit namin kapag naglalaro kami ng Wii, PS3 or nanonood ng DVD.

"O, sabihin mo kanya na," iniabot niya sa akin ang isang T-shirt. May ugali si Kuya Ali na hindi nagpapasuot ng damit sa ibang tao.   

"Thank you Kuya Ali," I stood up and hugged him tight.

"Okay ka na ba?"I nodded up to him, "Masaya ka ba kay Prince?" I felt my cheeks heat up at his question but I nodded anyway.

"Good," he nodded thoughtfully before he released me. "Basta if you need anything, tell Kuya Ali. I'm just across the hallway from you, otherwise, I'm just a text message away."

 "Naku si Kuya talaga, okay lang po ako. I love you Kuya," I kissed his cheek before I exited his room.

I went back inside my room to find a shirtless Prince sitting on my bed while towelling his damp hair.

"Here," inabot ko yung T-shirt at sinuot niya. "Akin na yung towel mo, isasampay ko." He gave me the towel he used on his head and I took a hanger from my closet and put it out to air dry by the window.

"Na-miss kita. Ten pa first class mo, di ba?" he whispered to me as his hands wrapped around my shoulders.

"Miss mo 'ko agad? Bakit kagabi umalis kayo? San ba kayo nagpunta?" I turned to him and loosely wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Nag-usap-usap lang kami ng mga kapatid mo," he cupped my cheeks, "we needed to sort things out. Ganon naman ang boys. Nag-male-bonding lang kami." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Sigurado?" I pouted, "Alam ko pag may male-bonding na kasama si Kuya Alfred, me involved na girls."

Natawa ng bahagya si Prince, "Sila lang. Kami ni Alistair wala."

"Well in that case, naniniwala ako. Kuya Alistair doesn't drink and he doesn't go out with girls. Suplado kaya yun sa girls," I pouted at him, "Eh, ikaw sigurado kang wala?" Oh no, I'm nagging him! Grabe Aya nagseselos ka!

"Selos?" he smiled mischievously and I slapped his chest, "Wala talaga, promise. Besides, palagay mo papayagan ako ng mga kuya mo? Baka sagasaan ako ni Alfredo at kuryentehin ako ni Ali." I laughed at the last part.

"Goddess, sleep na tayo," he pulled me with him to my bed. Shocks, eto na naman po siya.

"Uy ano ba, ang aga-aga," I tried to squirm away. "Prince!" he chuckled softly.

"Sige na, dun sa apartment natutulog ka naman sa tabi ko di ba?" he pouted, "Aya..."

"Okay. Sige I'll stay until you fall asleep. Gisingin kita before I leave. 1PM class mo di ba?" He nodded then scooted to give me room before pulling me close and tucking me under his chin.

"Prince, paano nga pala yung nangyari kahapon?" I mumbled softly, "Pa'no si Mel?" I couldn't quell the touch of fear in my gut.

"Don't worry about it baby," he whispered as his eyes fluttered close, "we already took care of it."

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I watched from the shadows of the Acacia trees as Prince emerged from the Office of the Student Disciplinary Action. A few minutes later, my prey emerged from the same door. She looked shaken, eyes hidden behind thick sunglasses to hide her eyebags, scant clothing that looked hastily pulled together and a stance that had lost its arrogance in the full week that I made it my business to be in hers. I have been giving her sleepless nights the whole week.

I followed a short distance away as she crossed the street and headed to the parking lot. I lengthened my strides to match hers until I'm just a scant inch away that I could literally smell her. She reeked of fear and a plethora of other substances – the scent of strong perfume, tobacco smoke, stale shots... so different from the time she decided to cross my little sister's path.

She glanced at me from her peripheral vision, before she stopped and turned around.

"Yes?" her tone was clearly irritated. I smiled at her.

"May kailangan ka ba sa'kin?" I could see she's struggling to keep her composure. I wonder what's running through her head upon seeing me.

"Wala pa naman," I grinned at her, "pero ako,dapat makilala mo."

"Look, I don't know who you are. I'm gonna call the police," she took out her cellphone and began to dial. I smiled inwardly as I took out my own phone and it began to ring. I answered the call after the fourth.

"Hello, Melanie. Elaia. Hernandez," I emphasized each part of her name carefully. I saw the blood drain from her face. She looked at her device as if it had sprouted horns and a snout.

"Sino ka?" there was real fear in her voice now. Her eyes started to dart around for an escape route.

"Your worst nightmare," I leaned close to her ear.

 "Stay away from Prince Constantino and Aya Zabala."

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"So nagparamdam ba ulit yung Melzilla na yun sa inyo?" Sab leaned back on her chair after we've finished eating lunch at Friuli.

"Wala. Wala na akong alam," sumubo ako ng After Eight ko, "mukhang hindi na yata siya pumapasok."

"Hay Aya, grabe. I still can't believe na nangyari yun," Sab grimaced, "kung andun lang ako, naku baka kinalbo ko siya!"

"Hay naku Sab, di nagmukha kang Hobbit versus Orc nun. Ang tangkad kaya niya," I scooped some more of the frozen ice cream cake and fed Prince beside me.

"Subukan niya, gagamitin ko si "Sting"!"

"Baliw!"

"Let's not talk about her, okay" Prince said uncomfortably, "at least three-day suspension lang ang consequence sa 'kin." He grimaced.

"Well, malapit na rin ang finals. One week na lang. Grabe, ang bilis parang di pa naka-catch up yung utak ko," Kiko groaned.

"Pa'no puro ka DOTA," Sab slapped his shoulder, "Hay nako Kiks, parehong-pareho kayo ni Roel."

"Uy na-miss mo?" Kiko grinned at her, "Di na ba kayo magbabalikan nun? Three years rin naging kayo."

Sab shook her head, "Intrigahin ba ako Kiko? Leche siya, pinagpalit niya ako sa DOTA at barkada niya."

Kiko threw an arm around her, "Ikaw naman kasi andito lang naman ako..." Sab's eyes widened in horror, "... na kaibigan mo," he finished playfully. Sab smacked his face with a bluebook.

"Pero guys invite ko kayo. Trip to the north daw sabi ni Kuya Alphonse. Baguio-Sagada-Banawe tayo after Finals." I was happy to announce the good news. They all cheered excitedly.

"Sure. Wow exciting naman yan Aya! Sa wakas matutuloy na yung joyride natin," Sab exclaimed.

I stuck my tongue at her,"Weh, di rin. Di kaya ng kotse ko yung rough road sa Sagada. Ni-lower ni Kuya yun. Yung pick-up ni Aidan at saka yung FJ Cruiser ni Kuya Alphonse ang gagamitin."

"Ngee? So ibig sabihin hindi pa rin ikaw ang mag-di-drive? Kaloka." I laughed at her forlorn expression.

"Hay naku Sab, what's with your obsession with me driving ba? Ang sarap kaya maging passenger."

"Wala lang. Ang OC mo kasing tao eh, I want to see you lose control. Parang Fast and the Furious," she said with a thoughtful expression.

"Kaloka. Anong lose control? Ang turo ni Kuya Alfredo, habang bumibilis ang kotse, lalo ka nagiging in-control. Yung manibela mas mabilis sumunod kapag mabilis kaya dapat in-tune kayo ng kotse mo."

"Shocks ganun ba yun? My gosh, kay Kuya Alfredo na lang kaya ako makisakay?"

I laughed at her eager expression, "Hindi rin niya madadala si Lady. Lowered din kasi yung Skyline niya."

"Lady?" Prince turned to me with a questioning look.

"Yung kotse niya." I smiled up at him.

"Cool, may pangalan pala yung kotse niya?" I nodded.

"Of course, yung sa akin din naman eh."

"Anong pangalan ng car mo?"

"Shiro, short for Seishirou."

"Meaning?" Sab laughed at that and Prince looked at her questioningly.

" "Shiro" means white," she said, "Seishirou is a gay assassin from a manga."

"Ha?" Priceless yung expression ni Prince, "Gay assassin?"

"Loka-loka ka Sab!" I laughed, "hala he's scarred for life. Maalala niya yan tuwing sasakay siya sa kotse ko." I turned to Prince.

"Nung highschool kasi favourite ko yung manga ng X99 and there was a cool character named Seishirou Sakurazuka. He was always wearing a white trenchcoat."

"Okay, wow. I didn't know this side of you Goddess," He laughed, "Otaku ka pala talaga."

"Oo naman, kaya nga kami magkakasundo," Kiko said with a grin.

"So Kiko favourite mo rin yon?" Prince asked suddenly. Kiko looked at him in alarm.

"Hell, no" he said with disgust and Sab and I doubled over in laughter.

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"Break ka muna baby," I smiled up as Prince set a steaming mug of hot cocoa and a plate of butter cookies on the coffee table in front of me.

"Wow, sweet mo naman," I kissed his cheek as he sat down on the floor of his apartment beside me. It's three days before Finals and we're both studying for our respective classes. Hindi kagaya ng ibang estudyante, hindi ako naniniwalang hindi ko kayang mag-concentrate pag kadikit ko ang boyfriend ko. In fact, mas ginaganahan akong mag-review kasi ang galing niyang mag-tutor lalo na sa Math. I have to give it to Prince din. After the incident with Mel, parang mas ingat siya sa akin. The last two days na-discover ko na masipag pala talaga rin siyang mag-aral at masarap na study buddy. I have to admit, nakaka-miss yung mga kalokohang hirit niya. Shocks Aya, na-mi-miss mo yung hentai side niya? Loka-loka!

I took a sip from the hot cocoa and I just had to groan in appreciation. Ang sarap! The flavours just bursted out of my mouth. Grabe, love ko na talaga si Prince.

"Wow, anong nilagay mo dito? Ang sarap!" I grinned at him.

"A touch of vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of salt," he slid his arms on my waist, "and a whole lot of love." Homaygash ka, ginagayuma mo ba ako gamit ang tsokolate?

"Wow Mr. Constantino, wag ka na kaya mag-engineer? Mag-coffeeshop na lang tayo?" I pinched his cheek.

"Kung gusto mo magtatayo tayo," he kissed my nose,"I'll do as my Goddess commands."

"Ay ang corny na!" I slapped his shoulder, "Pero masarap talaga. Thank you." I eagerly finished the drink and licked my lips. I caught him staring at me with a tender expression before he tucked me under his chin.

"Aya pa-kiss naman ako," he murmured to my hair.

"Parang alam ko na kung anong kiss yan," I laughed at him. "Sabi ko na nga ba may ganyan eh." He pouted at me and I couldn't resist laughing at his expression.

"Nagtatampo ba ang mahal na Prinsipe?" I cooed at him. He shook his head and sighed. I decided to surprise him and climbed on his lap. "Ikaw naman, siyempre bibigyan kita ng kiss."

Our kiss started out slow, just gentle sweeps of his lips on mine. He was so gentle that I wonder if he still had his fears from the incident. I ran my fingers through his hair and he groaned softly, his hands tightening on my hips. The kiss is turning more passionate, deeper, and I had to pull away a bit to gasp in some air. He wouldn't have it, and in a second, his lips found mine once more. He sucked my lower lip and bit it, before he licked it slowly. I couldn't suppress the moan that spilled from my lips. I can feel my body heat up from his passionate kisses. His fingers are digging into my hips. Nararamdaman kong nangigigil siya.

"Teka, Prince..." I moaned out, "masakit." He loosened his grip on me. He was panting and he had guilt evident in his eyes.

"Sorry baby," he whispered as he stroked my hips gently, "Sorry, I was... I lost control." He lifted up my shirt and grimaced when he saw the reddened skin, "Shit Aya, sorry talaga."

I cupped his cheeks, "Okay lang ako." He still had that conflicted expression, "Okay lang. Mawawala din yan."

"Fuck, ayokong nasasaktan ka." He swallowed hard, "Sorry Goddess."

"Look, hindi naman ako porcelain doll. I won't break that easily Prince," I kissed his nose, "basta be conscious of your strength. Maliit lang kasi ako tapos ikaw 6'2"." He looked so guilty that my heart just melted for him.

"Promise hindi ko na uulitin. Itali mo na nga 'tong mga kamay ko," he offered his wrists to me. Binatukan ko nga.

"OA ka na ha!" I laughed at him, "hindi na kita kinakaya, grabe ka! Baka mamaya sabihin ng iba may fetish pa ako." The look on his face was very comical.

"Saka ayaw pa kita itali, bata pa tayo. Let's enjoy this relationship first." I grinned up at him.

"Pero in the future, trip mo kayang gawin yun? Excited ako," he asked mischievously and I slapped his chest. Hay naku, ayan bumalik na ang hentai side ng boyfriend ko. I could feel my cheeks heat up. He pulled me close and laughed at my expression.   

-End Chapter 15-

Seishiro Sakurazuka (Tokyo Babylon, X99, Tsubasa Chronicles) copyright by Studio CLAMP.